Classification
Classification is simply a structure for competition. Not unlike wrestling, boxing and weightlifting, where athletes are categorized by weight classes, athletes with disabilities are grouped in classes defined by the degree of function presented by the disability.
Traditionally there are athletes who belong to six different disability groups in the Paralympic Movement: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability and a group which includes all those that do not fit into the aforementioned groups (les autres).
Classes are determined by a variety of processes that may include a physical and technical assessment and observation in and out of competition. The classes are defined by each sport and form part of the sport rules.
Classification is an ongoing process. When an athlete starts competing, they are allocated a class that may be reviewed throughout the athlete's career. Sports certify individuals to conduct the process of classification and these officials are known as classifiers.
Since the 1960's, the development of sport for athletes with a disability has produced the development of classification systems; and this continues to evolve to the present day.
Code
In 2003, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) developed a Classification Strategy with the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation. The IPC Classification Code is a direct result of recommendations made in this Strategy.
The Classification Code establishes a framework for policies and procedures that are common to all sports and is intended to be specific enough to achieve complete harmonization on classification issues where standardization is required, yet general enough in other areas to permit flexibility on how agreed principles are implemented. The Code is complemented with International Standards that provide the technical and operational requirements for classification.
The IPC Classification Code has been approved by the IPC 2007 General Assembly in Korea in November 2007. You can find it as follows:
Statement in regards to the re-inclusion of athletes with intellectual impairment in Paralympic sports:
Contact:
International Paralympic Committee
Peter Van de Vliet
Medical and Scientific Director
Adenauerallee 212-214
D-53113 Bonn, Germany
Fax: +49-228-2097-209
E-mail: peter.vandevliet@paralympic.org
